Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

London249 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 19, 2021 7:04 pm

Home office response received via email,
However, we can confirm that we have just completed the processing of certificates and ceremony invitations for applications that were approved on and before 3 November and have now commenced processing those for applications approved on 4 November 2020. Ceremony invites are sent by 2nd class post and can take up to 10 working days to be delivered.
We will update our website with any new information, in particular, in relation to the time it might take to despatch certificates. Please be assured that once a customer receives their Citizenship Ceremony Invitation Letter, they will still have up to six months within which to complete ceremony.

when they say they will update their website with information.. where exactly? do you have a link?
thanks

Hi

My friend has received ceremony invitation from council Blackburn but have not received any letter from HO, is it possible to attend ceremony without HO letter?

looks like HO have lost the data for October.

"How much it costs
The cost of your ceremony is included in your application fee.

You might need to pay more for a private ceremony - check how much with your local council."

why are people paying even for non private ceremonies??

PhantomPermit wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 20, 2021 11:33 am

"How much it costs
The cost of your ceremony is included in your application fee.

You might need to pay more for a private ceremony - check how much with your local council."

why are people paying for the ceremonies??

Varies with each council. Some councils are doing virtual ceremonies free of cost. Some charging only £10 to post certificate. Some charging around £100-150. And private ceremonies can vary from £70-£265 etc depending on different councils.

PhantomPermit wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 20, 2021 11:29 am

looks like HO have lost the data for October.

Strange any updates ??
Mine is 16 oct approval and nothing yet

CULLINAN wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 20, 2021 11:36 am

PhantomPermit wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 20, 2021 11:33 am

"How much it costs
The cost of your ceremony is included in your application fee.

You might need to pay more for a private ceremony - check how much with your local council."

why are people paying for the ceremonies??

Varies with each council. Some councils are doing virtual ceremonies free of cost. Some charging only £10 to post certificate. Some charging around £100-150. And private ceremonies can vary from £70-£265 etc depending on different councils.

Hounslow offered free ceremony.... earliest date was April. I requested for earlier date and was told that was the earliest I could get. Then I asked what about those who are paying? I was given date for late next week £125(virtual).

aliabbas wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 20, 2021 11:51 am

PhantomPermit wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 20, 2021 11:29 am

looks like HO have lost the data for October.

Strange any updates ??
Mine is 16 oct approval and nothing yet

i am 15th october nothing yet. Some of the novembers have had there ceremonies already.

Jefymum wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 20, 2021 11:58 am

Hounslow offered free ceremony.... earliest date was April. I requested for earlier date and was told that was the earliest I could get. Then I asked what about those who are paying? I was given date for late next week £125(virtual).

Good luck. Request the registrar if you can collect the certificate the same day after virtual ceremony (if that is something you would like to do). Otherwise you will get in post.

I received invitation letter today.

Approval: 3rd November

Update:

Invitation arrived by post today.
Application date: 9th July 2020
Approved on 27th Oct 2020
Invitation letter print date: 9th Jan 2021
Invitation letter arrival date: 20th Jan 2021

Has anyone had any luck with Manchester City council?

avaixhah wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 20, 2021 11:20 am

Hi

My friend has received ceremony invitation from council Blackburn but have not received any letter from HO, is it possible to attend ceremony without HO letter?

Hiya! Some council are doing ceremonies without the invitation letter from home office, best thing is to confirm with council, can you please mention the approval date of your friend’s application.

CULLINAN wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 20, 2021 12:30 pm

Jefymum wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 20, 2021 11:58 am

Hounslow offered free ceremony.... earliest date was April. I requested for earlier date and was told that was the earliest I could get. Then I asked what about those who are paying? I was given date for late next week £125(virtual).

Good luck. Request the registrar if you can collect the certificate the same day after virtual ceremony (if that is something you would like to do). Otherwise you will get in post.

Thanks I live 5 mins away. So I'll request that...it's always good to know that you have that option too because sometimes they don't let you know...thank God for this forum.

Is it possible to change to a council which is doing ceremonies?
and how long does it take to get such a change?
(i have applied but not yet had my biometrics booked to the 04/02)
Thanks

Latest Update: Today received call from Milton Keynes council and booked appointment for Ceremony on 29 Jan 2021. Only had to pay £7.50 to arrange certificate sent by post. Below is my timeline

Application sent & fee paid: 27 August 2020
Receipt of your application: 28 August 2020
Document Upload to UKVCAS: 29 August 2020:
Documents submitted to UKVI: 05 September 2020
Biometric reuse email: N/A
Invitation to use UKVCAS IDV APP or Biometrics: 02 September 2020
Photo and document submitted using IDV APP or Biometrics: 18 September 2020 (UKVCAS Centre)
Date of Approval letter: 15 October 2020:
Date of receipt of approval: 15 October 2020 (By email)
DBS Issued: 06 Dec 2020
DBS Received: 09 Dec 2020

Date of receipt of ceremony letter by post: 15 Jan 2021
Date of Ceremony: 29 Jan 2021 (Milton Keynes Council)

Jefymum wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 20, 2021 1:22 pm

CULLINAN wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 20, 2021 12:30 pm

Jefymum wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 20, 2021 11:58 am

Hounslow offered free ceremony.... earliest date was April. I requested for earlier date and was told that was the earliest I could get. Then I asked what about those who are paying? I was given date for late next week £125(virtual).

Good luck. Request the registrar if you can collect the certificate the same day after virtual ceremony (if that is something you would like to do). Otherwise you will get in post.

Thanks I live 5 mins away. So I'll request that...it's always good to know that you have that option too because sometimes they don't let you know...thank God for this forum.

You must know the feltham area well then where Hounslow Registrar office is located. But if not, the registrar office is just on the main Harlington Road. I kind of missed it first when I passed through it.

PS: Hounslow Council is charging £125 for virtual ceremony whereas many other councils charging no money or only for postage of certificate. Since I am have attended mine, I am thinking to make a complaint about the fees charged!!

Missi wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 20, 2021 1:21 pm

avaixhah wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 20, 2021 11:20 am

Hi

My friend has received ceremony invitation from council Blackburn but have not received any letter from HO, is it possible to attend ceremony without HO letter?

Hiya! Some council are doing ceremonies without the invitation letter from home office, best thing is to confirm with council, can you please mention the approval date of your friend’s application.

It was approved on 25th September. He called council and they said letter was sent out on 14th January but i havent received it yet..

jasmine89 wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 20, 2021 1:08 pm

Has anyone had any luck with Manchester City council?

I have today received my Invitation Letter.

Council - Manchester City Council
Application Date - 14th Sep 2020
Approval Date - 5 Nov 2020
Date on Invitation Letter - 14/01/2021
Date invitation letter received - 20/01/2021

I have just tried calling the registrar office on the number provided in the invitation letter. Apparently the phone number is not in use anymore due to Covid 19. All requests should be emailed.

I have now emailed them and will update as soon as I have received a response.

Any other numbers that people may suggest for Manchester City council.

Thanks

asifmahmood36 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 19, 2021 10:52 pm

Hello,
I have actually the same situation as you. Strange. I was approved on 27OCT and I also checked Wandsworth council online and my council had my certificate but I have not received my invitation letter yet. I just email the register office and told them the postal situation in the SW18 area and ask them that Can I book the ceremony without an invitation letter. waiting reply.

Update me if you get something.

Hi asifmahmood36, Guess what Postman delivered my letter and my ceremony is coming Tuesday.

So, I am pretty sure yours should be on your way too, if you get call from council just book your ceremony.

Good Luck to you and everyone, hopefully, everyone gets their Letter soon.

CULLINAN wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 20, 2021 1:45 pm

Jefymum wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 20, 2021 1:22 pm

CULLINAN wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 20, 2021 12:30 pm

Jefymum wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 20, 2021 11:58 am

Hounslow offered free ceremony.... earliest date was April. I requested for earlier date and was told that was the earliest I could get. Then I asked what about those who are paying? I was given date for late next week £125(virtual).

Good luck. Request the registrar if you can collect the certificate the same day after virtual ceremony (if that is something you would like to do). Otherwise you will get in post.

Thanks I live 5 mins away. So I'll request that...it's always good to know that you have that option too because sometimes they don't let you know...thank God for this forum.

You must know the feltham area well then where Hounslow Registrar office is located. But if not, the registrar office is just on the main Harlington Road. I kind of missed it first when I passed through it.

PS: Hounslow Council is charging £125 for virtual ceremony whereas many other councils charging no money or only for postage of certificate. Since I am have attended mine, I am thinking to make a complaint about the fees charged!!

Yes I live in Feltham area. I agree it appears most councils are offering the virtual ceremony for free, with Hounslow I guess unless you are prepared to wait for another 3 months. Also wanted to ask were you given link/code to join in the ceremony email?

myukqueries wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 20, 2021 3:52 pm

jasmine89 wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 20, 2021 1:08 pm

Has anyone had any luck with Manchester City council?

I have today received my Invitation Letter.

Council - Manchester City Council
Application Date - 14th Sep 2020
Approval Date - 5 Nov 2020
Date on Invitation Letter - 14/01/2021
Date invitation letter received - 20/01/2021

I have just tried calling the registrar office on the number provided in the invitation letter. Apparently the phone number is not in use anymore due to Covid 19. All requests should be emailed.

I have now emailed them and will update as soon as I have received a response.

Any other numbers that people may suggest for Manchester City council.

Thanks

Unfortunately you cant ring them. Its email only. They said that they will be holding virtual ceremonies and that they are in the testing phase. Once that is completed they will update the booking system and notify us. I really hope that they notify us soon. I cant wait to get over and done with this process. If i hear anything further i will let you know. And if they give you an update can you please let me know as well.

Jefymum wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 20, 2021 5:03 pm

Yes I live in Feltham area. I agree it appears most councils are offering the virtual ceremony for free, with Hounslow I guess unless you are prepared to wait for another 3 months. Also wanted to ask were you given link/code to join in the ceremony email?

Yes. The lady sent me an email when she booked me in for a virtual ceremony? Did she not send you one?
Also she called me 1 day earlier to take the payment but sometimes they take payment on the same day also.

CULLINAN wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 20, 2021 5:06 pm

Jefymum wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 20, 2021 5:03 pm

Yes I live in Feltham area. I agree it appears most councils are offering the virtual ceremony for free, with Hounslow I guess unless you are prepared to wait for another 3 months. Also wanted to ask were you given link/code to join in the ceremony email?

Yes. The lady sent me an email when she booked me in for a virtual ceremony? Did she not send you one?
Also she called me 1 day earlier to take the payment but sometimes they take payment on the same day also.

email with a link to join meeting that day/time**

jasmine89 wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 20, 2021 5:06 pm

myukqueries wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 20, 2021 3:52 pm

jasmine89 wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 20, 2021 1:08 pm

Has anyone had any luck with Manchester City council?

I have today received my Invitation Letter.

Council - Manchester City Council
Application Date - 14th Sep 2020
Approval Date - 5 Nov 2020
Date on Invitation Letter - 14/01/2021
Date invitation letter received - 20/01/2021

I have just tried calling the registrar office on the number provided in the invitation letter. Apparently the phone number is not in use anymore due to Covid 19. All requests should be emailed.

I have now emailed them and will update as soon as I have received a response.

Any other numbers that people may suggest for Manchester City council.

Thanks

Unfortunately you cant ring them. Its email only. They said that they will be holding virtual ceremonies and that they are in the testing phase. Once that is completed they will update the booking system and notify us. I really hope that they notify us soon. I cant wait to get over and done with this process. If i hear anything further i will let you know. And if they give you an update can you please let me know as well.

Have you received your invitation letter yet?